CINCINNATI — Daisuke Matsuzaka spent most of the summer toiling on the Triple-A Columbus Clippers’ pitching staff. It was his first career stint in minor-league baseball. The hottest baseball commodity in the world six years ago, Matsuzaka waited for the Cleveland Indians to request his services.

The Japanese right-hander had enjoyed a solid April and was poised to capitalize on a May 1 opt-out in his contract. But an ill-timed oblique strain sidelined him until June 11 and he struggled upon his return. By mid-August, Matsuzaka remained a Clipper with an unimpressive 3.92 ERA. The Indians, fighting for a postseason berth, weren’t impressed.

Understanding the situation, Matsuzaka opted out of his contract.

Four days later, he signed with the Mets. Wednesday afternoon, 100 miles down the road from Columbus, he produced another episode in his unanticipated late-season career revival in the Mets’ 1-0 win over the Reds.

Matsuzaka limited the powerful offense of the Reds (90-69) to four hits over 7⅔ innings at Great American Ball Park to win his third straight start. He had six strikeouts and walked one batter as the Mets (73-85) took the three-game series from a club still fighting for playoff positioning. The Cardinals clinched at least a tie for the National League Central title with their win over the Nationals, combined with the Reds’ loss.

"This is a very good lineup and a small ballpark," Matsuzaka said through his interpreter, Jeff Cutler. "I just tried to limit the amount of extra-base hits they got off of me and it was really a good opportunity to pitch against a team like this and see how well I can pitch against them."

The Mets, who have won nine of 13, scored the lone run of the day on Eric Young’s single through a drawn-in infield in the third inning that scored Wilfredo Tovar. Otherwise, Reds starter Mat Latos was effective, allowing the one run on four hits, while striking out seven to two walks.

But Matsuzaka was better, extending his recent resurgence. His first three starts in a Mets uniform were disastrous. His ERA was 10.95. The Mets considered other options.

Since then, though, Matsuzaka has allowed four earned runs over 26⅓ innings in four starts. His ERA during the span is 1.37.

"I’m definitely pitching better than I was pitching in Triple A," Matsuzaka said. "My fastball, my offspeed pitches, everything’s really improved. And I credit it a lot to (pitching coach) Dan (Warthen), who’s been working a lot with me and I really appreciate what he’s done."

Wednesday, Matsuzaka overcame a stiff back he aggravated taking a swing in the fourth inning. The 33-year-old still managed to throw 105 pitches and the Mets are contemplating whether to have him pitch in Sunday’s season finale on four days’ rest. Mets manager Terry Collins said he believes Matsuzaka, known for his long history of high pitch counts, can handle the workload.

Whether he starts or not, he figures to have pitched himself back into a spot in the majors next season. Perhaps it will with the Mets, a notion Collins did not dismiss.

"If the Mets do want me back next season, it would be an honor," Matsuzaka said. "It would be something that I take seriously."